An Eclectic, Colorful, Airy Small/Cool Space
An Eclectic, Colorful, Airy Small/Cool Space
Name: Madeleine Buck
Size: 525 sq ft
Home type: Apartment
Location: Oakland, CA
Years lived in: 8 months, rented
Household: No one
Have any design professionals worked on this space: No
Describe your space:
My apartment is a reflection of the things that inspire me and bring me happiness: namely art, music, and nature. I designed my space to showcase my vibrant art collection and ever-growing plant family, so I stuck to a neutral color palette and natural textures for my other furnishings. Living in an older building with a lot of character informs my design choices as well. My apartment is in a classic West Oakland Victorian, and I was immediately drawn to the high ceilings, natural light, and the giant fig tree outside my living room window that makes me feel like I’m living in a treehouse.
Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?
I am an illustrator and textile artist, and all the embroideries and weavings on display are my original works. I also built and installed the corner shelves over my work space to complement the desk that came with the apartment. This might be my favorite DIY project because it’s the first time I have made a custom piece for my living space
How do you make your small space work for you and feel bigger than it really is?
I am blessed with high ceilings and cursed with a lack of closet space, so I try to only bring items into my space that I find both functional and visually appealing. For the unavoidable cords and boxes, I use woven bins and baskets to hide less charming items in plain sight. I have also used a lot of shelves and mirrors to create more visual levels and draw the eye around the room.
How does your home reflect you?
This is the first apartment that I've lived in by myself, and I have been able to make it a space that fully reflects my taste in art and love of plants and greenery.